Human anterior cingulate cortex is activated by negative feedback: evidence from event-related potentials in a guessing task

Neurosci Lett. 2002 Jun 14;325(3):203-6. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00288-4.

Abstract

It has been controversially discussed whether the error-related negativity (ERN) or error negativity (N(e)), an electrophysiological index of anterior cingulate activation, reflects response conflict or response evaluation subserving error monitoring processes. We investigated event-related potentials (ERPs) in a guessing task which did not induce response conflict. Subjects had to guess which of the four aces of a French card play would be presented next and received feedback at random. We observed a negative ERP deflection in trials following negative feedback which was identified as ERN/N(e). Dipole analysis of scalp potentials indicated sources in the anterior cingulate and left inferior prefrontal cortex. The observation of the ERN/N(e) following negative feedback during guessing suggests that this ERP component mirrors response evaluation processes comparing expected and actual response outcome rather than response conflict.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Evoked Potentials*
  • Feedback, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Gyrus Cinguli / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Performance